General Manager

Leading Roles; Bathurst; On-site; AUD 250,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

Bathurst Regional Council seeks a General Manager with judgement, courage and leadership to transform financial sustainability and organisational performance. The role shapes a regional city with diverse assets and a strong community identity, including Mount Panorama, education and rural villages.

The appointee will lead a accountable workforce, implement affordable operating models, provide evidence-based advice, and deliver measurable outcomes for services, revenue and assets.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to lead financial recovery and transformation in a complex organisation.
• Strong commercial judgement with political understanding and accountability.
• Proven capacity to deliver through others in a large public sector setting.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial and organisational transformation for the council.
• Turn strategic choices into measurable community outcomes.
• Shape the future of a distinctive regional city and its assets.
• Translate reviews into practical decisions and disciplined implementation.
• Drive executive and organisational accountability and an efficient workforce.

Skills

Financial leadership

Strategic thinking

Change management

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

General Manager
Bathurst Regional Council

• Lead financial and organisational transformation




• Turn strategic choices into measurable community outcomes




• Shape the future of a distinctive regional city

Bathurst Regional Council is seeking a General Manager with the judgement, courage and leadership to transform financial sustainability and organisational performance.

This is an opportunity to lead a regional city with nationally recognised assets, a diverse economy and a strong community identity. From the globally renowned Mount Panorama/Wahluu precinct to its cultural institutions, education sector and rural villages, Bathurst offers substantial scope to create lasting value.

The need for change is significant. Council needs an affordable operating model, stronger management information and disciplined implementation. Priorities include translating existing reviews into practical decisions, driving executive and organisational accountability and leading a capable and efficient workforce while maintaining essential services.

Working closely with the Mayor and elected Council, the General Manager must provide frank, evidence-based advice on services, expenditure, revenue, land and strategic assets. Council expects credible options and clear recommendations, followed by measurable delivery. Effective, ethical leadership will help the organisation and community understand the choices ahead and move forward with confidence.

Demonstrated success in financial recovery and organisational transformation within a complex organisation is essential. Strong commercial judgement, political understanding and the ability to deliver through others are critical competencies sought.

Bathurst offers the professional challenge of meaningful reform alongside the lifestyle and connections of an established regional community. Council has a strong preference for a General Manager who lives locally and invests in its future.

Applications close: 5:00pm AEDT Monday 2 November 2026.